‘Game of Thrones’ Fan Demands Trial by Combat in New York Supreme Court Case

A Staten Island, NY lawyer and 'Game of Thrones' fan accused of helping a client commit fraud is asking a judge to sanction a medieval-style trial by combat.

Richard A. Luthmann has filed a brief with the New York Supreme Court in which he argues that the practice has never been declared illegal by any U.S. court since the nation's founding.

"The allegations made by plaintiffs, aided and abetted by their counsel, border upon the criminal," Luthmann's brief reads. "As such, the undersigned (Luthmann) respectfully requests that the court permit the undersigned to dispatch plaintiffs and their counsel to the Divine Providence of the Maker for Him to exact His divine judgment once the undersigned has released the souls of the plaintiffs and their counsel from their corporeal bodies, personally and or by way of a champion."

For those unfamiliar with the practice or who don't watch 'Game of Thrones', a trial by combat is exactly what it sounds like: the defendant or a champion of their choosing must fight a state-appointed warrior to the death to prove guilt or innocence.

David Parker, a client of Luthmann’s, was involved in a dispute over more than $500,000. Luthmann is accused of helping Paker liquidate his accounts and transfer his money, which violates New York State law.

Luthmann says the charges against him are ridiculous, and his request for a trial by combat is an equally ridiculous gesture by which he hopes to make a point.